GSCB 60 Year Chronology

60 F O S R A E Y

A Chronology of Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay 1962 - 2022 Researched and compiled by the GSCB Archives Committee

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Ours is a circle of friendship united by ideals.

- Juliette Gordon Low

1962

• Wilmington Area Girl Scout Council (formed 1935) and Peninsula Council (formed 1959) merged to become Chesapeake Bay Girl Scout Council (CBGSC) on Nov 1, 1962.

• Merging of Councils was initially proposed to the National Board in a Council Coverage Plan by its Field Committee in 1945. Merger was part of a plan initially set forth by the National Girl Scout Council in 1957 to implement program changes to better serve the girls of the 1960's, but not presented to the National Council until 1960. Merger documents require the establishment of Districts and Associations within each District.

• Council office established at Wilmington Area Council Office on 13th St. in Wilimington as it was owned free and clear.

• Virginia Middlebrook named the first Executive Director of the merged Council; Mrs. Jerome C. Weinberg was appointed the Interim Chairman until a President was elected at the first annual meeting of the Council.

• First meeting of the merged Council, the Chesapeake Bay Organization Meeting, was held at William Henry High School in Dover on November 1st. Raymond Grills was elected president.

1963 • •

•

• •

New Program Design comprised of four age levels implemented in Chesapeake Bay Council: Brownies (7-8 yr olds), Juniors (9-11 yr olds), Cadettes (12-14 yr olds), Seniors (15-17 yr olds); girls participated in an interrelated program geared to the needs, interests and abilities of each age group.

Cookie proceeds designated for capital expenditures made on behalf of girl programs rather than operating expenses.

Expenditures were made on equipment for camp properties (mattresses, beds, life vests, sailboat, canoes, sunfish sail boats, diving float, etc. for camps Country Center, Grove Point, Nassawango, and Todd; camperships, equipment for branch offices and equipment to facilitate service to the field (including station wagon replacements).

Summer Camp filled to capacity at nine camps throughout the Council; resident camps included camps Todd and Grove Point; Day Camps including camps Country Center (Hockessin, DE), Happy Hill (Rising Sun, MD), Old Mill (Perryville, MD), Eleanor Snedeker (St. Georges, DE), Camp Annie Jump Cannon (Dover, DE), Nassawango (later called Sandy Pines, Salisbury, MD) and Bayford (Franktown, VA).

Connie Bell Lodge was built at Camp Sandy Pines.

First issue of Bay Window published.

1964 •

First Fall School of Scouting for adult leaders and volunteers held at Camp Grove Point.

1965 •

Over 1000 Girl Scouts from New Castle County participated in an International Celebration event at Brandywine High School.

1966 •

12 acres adjoining Camp Todd containing a house and shed were purchased from Landa (Landy) Baynard; the house, subsequently named Todd House, was used year-round for troop camping.

• Over 2,000 Girl Scout families participated in Promise in Action event Wicomico Youth and Civic Center in Salisbury, MD.

1967 •

Star Lodge, a multi-purpose winterized building, at Camp Grove Point completed and dedicated. The center beam points directly to the North Star.

• 100 Girl Scouts from Dover participated in CBGSC's Dover Days celebration.

• Project Hearthstone, a homemaking fair, held at Brandywine Springs High School. Each troop brought a field stone to construct an altar fireplace at Country Center, where it stands today.

1968 •

Camp Grove Point Shower House completed.

1970 ••

Dover Area troops staged an International Fair at South Dover High School; 1800 girls participated.

Arts '70 held by Christiana Girl Scouts at Brandywine Springs Jr. High School; 2000 girls participated.

1971

• Mod World of Scouting Happening held on April 17 at Salisbury Civic Center. Event included a parade with marching units, bands and floats; displays, demonstrations, teach-ins and an evening hootenanny also held at the Civic Center. Troops released balloons with the number of hours spent on service projects written on them. In addition to 1,500 Scouts from the Salisbury area and three states and 500 other young people, Susan Agnew, daughter of Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, attended.

1972 ••

Mitchell's Store in North Wilmington opened a Girl Scout Department.

Fall School of Girl Scouting established to provide training for adult volunteers.

1973 •

Over 1000 Girl Scouts from Middletown, Dover, Smyrna, and Camden areas participated in the Today's Vision, Tomorrow's World event.

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1974 • 1975

• • • • •

1976

• CBGSC sponsored Salute to Women Past, Present, Future event on May 22nd. Activities included a parade in Wilmington, dancers, museum tours, programs, booths and exhibits to honor women who had made a valuable and permanent contribution to the state of Delaware as part of the Bicentennial Celebration. Girl Scouts from Cecil County, MD and Wilmington particpated, some wearing past uniforms, along with various women's organizations; Unit 29 presented the Council with their first flag (pale blue with a seagull surrounded by the outline of a gold trefoil), which they carried in the parade.

• 3,000 girls from CBGSC participated in The Spirit of ‘76 through Scouting event in celebration of the Nation’s bicentennial; event held in April in Salisbury, MD.

1977

• Annual Council Meeting voted to allow Brownies to participate in cookie sales; each Unit could decided whether or not and under what circumstances their Brownies could sell cookies.

• The Girl Scout Green Scene event was held at Concord Mall during Girl Scout Week to introduce and demonstrate World to Explore programs; planned by Wilmington Units, the exhibition included girl and leader recruitment booths, and a "mini-Camp Grove Point" to promote summer camp attendance.

• CBGSC initiated the QSP magazine sales program as a Council-wide project to provide both Council and troop funds.

• A Council-wide Outdoor Skills Round-up was held on May 13-15 at Killens Pond; 1200 Girl Scouts and leaders attended; teams of girls, many who had pre-qualified at local events, demonstrated their skills in six categories: Fires, Health & Safety, Outdoor Living, Rope craft, Meal Planning and Tool Craft; some troops designed troop flags for display; awards were presented at a flag ceremony on Sunday afternoon.

• Three year tree thinning to remove hazards and invigorate the health of the forest at Camp Grove Point initiated on the recommendation of the Maryland State Forester; trunks sold for lumber; troops assisted with clearing of branches; reforestation initiated by summer resident campers.

1978

• First summer migrant day camp held.

• Energy Workshop at Delaware State College co-sponsored with Delawareans for Energy Conservation, Delaware Nature Education Society, Delmarva Power and the Governor's Energy Office taught girls from GSCB to make solar showers and hot dog cookers.

• Ground breaking ceremony for Choptank Lodge held at Camp Todd on August 5th.

1979

• Dover's Blue Hen Mall hosts Worlds of Girl Scouting event on March 17th to support girl and leader recruitment; event included demonstrations of hand arts and outdoor skills and a Wider Opportunities information booth.

• Choptank Lodge, a year-round program and overnight facility with kitchen and showers completed and ribbon cutting held on June 24th at Camp Todd. A manufactured home was set up near the camp entrance as living quarters for an onsite camp ranger.

• 600 Girl Scouts attended CBGSC's Lively Arts Fun Festival (LAFF) at the Harrington State Fair Grounds; 5,000 overall attendance of the event; festival events included a parade, banners, performances, a closing ceremony and an evening program for Cadettes, Seniors and Adults.

1980 •• 1981

Girl Scouts of Dover Air Force Base celebrate the 25th Anniversary of CBGSC with a large outdoor fly-up ceremony.

CBGSC sponsored Senior Weekend January 4-6 for girls in grades 9-12; Theme: Older Girl Programs/Let's Make It Happen.

• First CBGSC Anniversary luncheon was held March 12th to honor members of the community who provide role models for Girl Scouts.

1982 ••

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Council sponsored Colonial Pathways, a two-week national Wider Opportunity focusing on Bicentennial crafts and activities including quilting, book binding, crewel stitchery and making dolls; Girl Scouts stayed at both Camp Country Center and Camp Todd; 80 Cadettes from 44 states attended.

Pool was added at Camp Grove Point and was dedicated in July.

First Pixie (1st graders) troop formed.

Council introduced the Sea Gull Award to recognize adult volunteers for service which impacts the entire Council.

800 Girl Scouts from Kent County participated in the Bicentennial Craft Exhibit during the City's Old Dover Days.

With the assistance of a partial grant from the Delaware American Revolution Bicentennial Commission, CBGSC sponsored the preparation and publication of Delaware Women Remembered, a book edited by Mary Sam Ward with associate editors Mary Louise Ponsell and Katherine Ward Smigie; published in 1977, the book chronicles the lives, careers and thoughts of Delaware women long neglected by traditional histories.

70th anniversary GSUSA Birthday Party at Harrington Fair Grounds; attended by over 3,000 girls and adults.

Water Decade Council Patch Program was developed by Gail Glenn and Jane Macario.

• First CBGSC Gold Awards were presented to seven girls from Troop 546: Tammi Adamson, Melissa Cole, Laurie Fulton, Lori Hartz, Denise Lanier, Helen Mazzoni, and Mary Mousley.

• Pond at Camp Country Center drained for health and safety reasons; lumbering project along property line with Skyline Orchard undertaken.

1983 ••

Board of Directors allocated $57,000 to develop a long-range plan for camp properties.

1st Cookie Castle Contest was held; castles made from GS Cookies.

• Council By-Laws amended to provide for elected Area Delegates to meet periodically to discuss matters of policy for the Council.

• First reunion event for former Girl Scouts held at Camp Grove Point; became the Girl Scout Alumni Reunion.

• Camp Snedeker sold; six acre camp on the northern side of the C&D Canal, 1.9 miles west of St. Georges; camp was mostly open meadow land with a small wooded area, and included a kitchen, wash house, pump house, fire circle, fireplace, latrine and open areas for tent camping and could accomodate only 1 troop at a time. The property was given to the Wilmington Council in 1954 by Eleanor Snedeker, an early Girl Scout leader.

1984 ••

First CBGSC Daisy Girl Scout Troop for 5 yr olds started in Cambridge, MD. Action ‘84 Campaign to convert Grove Point from traditional (i.e. primitive/seasonal) camp to site for year-round use with a multi-purpose program center initiated.

• Future Girl Scout t-shirts were given to 73 newborn girls in ten hospitals throughout the Council during Girl Scout Week (March 11-17) in a unique celebration of the 72nd year of Girl Scouting in the U.S. • CBGSC started first Career Shadowing Program (as a follow-up to an April 18th Youth Awareness Conference at the University of Delaware) to provide teenage girls the opportunity to shadow successful women in a career they would like to explore.

1985 •

Cluster A (Northern region of CBGSC) Girl Scouts held International Day festival to celebrate Thinking Day on February 23 at Christiana High School; 2,000 girls attended.

• Midnight Caravans, a program for girls in 6th grade and older to visit businesses that operated overnight, ventured out from each of the three clusters: A, B & C (or North, Central and Southern areas of our Council).

1986 • 1987

New Program Center and 2 winterized cabins (Seagull & Blue Heron) built at Camp Grove Point; cabins were named by Donna Hurley’s winning entry in a contest sponsored by the Property Planning Committee.

• A Legacy from Delaware Women sponsored by CBGSC and The Women’s Center of Delaware Technical and Community College and the University of Delaware and published with financial assistance from the Delaware Humanities Forum, Delaware Heritage Commission, Delaware companies and individuals; a volunteer team effort led by Mary Sam Ward; women selected for inclusion were nominated by women’s organizations, community leaders, public and private sector executives and others for their legacy in Delaware benefitting others. The book’s goal to provide inspiration...to young women setting life goals and to make Delaware a better place for all.

• Dedication of tennis courts, boat house, boardwalk, Program Center, 2 winterized cabins and Cimmaron (originally named Cimmaron Village) camping unit at Camp Grove Point, constructed as a result of a capital campaign launched in 1984.

• Donors purchased tiles painted with images of wildlife indigenous to the area (including several endangered species) and troops purchased tiles displaying their troop numbers for installation in the entryway of the Program Center at Camp Grove Point; tile project art was led by artist Irene Kelly; painting of central blue heron sponsored by GSCB alumnae.

• Cluster A of CBGSC sponsored a 75th Anniversary Promise Circle event at Glasgow High School’s stadium; events included an opening flag ceremony, Fashion Show of the Decades, Celebrity recognitions, recognition of service projects performed by troops throughout the Council and a GS Promise Circle; 4,000 girls and leaders participated.

1988 •

In it’s 5th year CBGSC’s Summer Outreach Program brought activity-oriented programming to 1600 girls in parks, community centers, churches, schoolyards and vacant lots throughout the Council.

• Renovations of the Troop House, including a two-story addition that provides 700 sq. ft of program and living quarters for a ranger, and other improvements at Camp Country Center supported by DuPont Corporation donations and grants from the State’s Bicentennial Comission and United Way improved the camp for use by GS, and allowed for the creation of an extended child care center for working parents in the community; ribbon cutting for renovations was held on May 21.

• Two swamp bridges, a nature trail and new entrance road, were among improvements made to Camp Grove Point.

1989 •

CBGSC received a $50,000 grant for their volunteer assistance with the LPGA McDonald’s Women’s Golf Championship; girls served as standard bearers (carrying signs showing the names of each team member) and adults provided logistical support for the event.

• Negotiations with the University of Delaware resulted in agreement on a $1 per year 40 year (length later reduced by agreement) lease on 2.5 acres of land on Rte. 896 adjacent to the College of Agricultural Sciences; lease was signed in September; support by new University President Trabant critical to reaching agreement; Architect Don Homsey building; Builders and Managers, Inc. managed construction.

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1990 •

CBGSC Board of Directors approved sale of Todd House and one acre at Camp Todd reportedly as property could no longer support heavy use it was experiencing.

• Two Adirondack shelters built on the ridge at Camp Country Center.

• Spring “Buy a Brick” campaign held to assist with funding the new Council Headquarters building in Newark on the campus of the University of Delaware. Names/troop numbers of those purchasing bricks were recorded in a “Golden Book” (currently in the possession of the Archive Committee); Ground breaking ceremony held April 20 • First Engineering Your Tomorrow event held in partnership with female scientists and engineers from the DuPont Company at the Louviers DuPont site to increase girls’ understanding of and interest in careers in the field of engineering through hands on activity stations and panel discussions; 140 CBGSC Girl Scouts in 6th through 8th grade attended; separate seminars for leaders and adults focused on encouraging girls to pursue “non-traditional” (at the time) fields.

1991

• New headquarters building in Newark dedicated in May. • Two Adirondack shelters built in Frog Hollow at Camp Country Center.

• Todd House and approximately one acre at Camp Todd sold as house could no longer accomodate the heavy usage it was experiencing.

• Colonies of Cicindela puritana, the threatened/endangered Puritan tiger beetle known to occur only along the Chesapeake Bay and near the mouth of the Sassafras River and in a small area on the Connecticut River identified to inhabit the eroding cliff portion of Camp Grove Point. Discovery made as a result of working with Maryland Department of the Environment, Cecil County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on plans, permits and funding to stabilize the eroding cliff face. The discovery precluded any stabilization, as the cliff face provides critical habitat for the species. Beetlemania program developed for camper to learn about the endangered tiger beetles.

1992

• Cookies sold for $2.50 per box; sales reached 1,000,000 boxes.

• New volleyball court, archery range and handicap-accessible Olympic size pool were constructed at Camp Grove Point.

• CBGSC sponsored Valuing Differences, an event focusing on cultural diversity; 244 girls attended.

• In support of the 80th anniversary of Girl Scouting in the U.S., CBGSC developed a Council-wide evnvironmental action plan, Peninsula Pride, in support of the national service project Girl Scouts Care for the Earth; action planing included initiating environmental service projects in communities and recognizing community groups, businesses and governmental agencies that provide positive environmental role models. CBGSC also held 3 events celebrating anniversary; 2,078 girls and their families participated.

1993 •

The Bay Shop chosen from 217 suggestions submitted by troops, leaders and girls as name for CBGSC’s shops; new logo developed.

1994 •

July 7-24 CBGSC hosted It’s a Shore Thing, a Wider Opportunity for girls in grades 8-12 at Camp Todd, the Horn Point Environmental Cetner (Cambridge, MD) and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore; 140 girls representing 40 states and 2 overseas troops (Korea and Germany) attended; Activities included a day on the Chespeake Bay Foundation work boat setting crab traps, dredging for oysters and fishing; visiting Blackwater Wildlife Refuge and the Dorchester Heritage Museum; tours of U of Delaware College of Marine Studies in Lewes; a Delaware Bay Cruise; visit to NASA’s Wallops Island facility; days in Annapolis, Ocean City and Chincoteague, crab feast; canoeing; environmental workshops; crafts; presentations on Native American culture; and a closing dinner and bonfire on the Assateague Island beach.

• Lakeview Lodge, a manufactured home, erected at Camp Todd as replacement for Todd House.

1995 •

Dedication ceremony for Camp Todd’s new Lakeview Lodge held in December.

1996 •

New office at 911 Snow Hill Rd., Salisbury, MD purchased and renovated to become Peninsula Resource Center.

• First Under Construction cookies sales events held in Wilmington and Salisbury, MD; Girl Scouts and design professionals joined together in teams to create structures using 200 empty cookie cases; community members selected their favorite structure to receive the People’s Choice award, participated in family activities and purchased cookies.

1997 •

85th Anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the USA; celebrated by CBGSC at Camp Grove Point with a program focusing on the history of Girl Scouting and remembrances of scouting experiences.

• Peninsula Resource Center in Salisbury opened and dedicated.

1998 •

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Girl Scouts from Wicomico County, MD and Delmar, DE partnered with NASA to send grass seed, unpopped popcorn and yeast into space on Shuttle Mission STS-91 (launched June 2), to test the effects of space travel on the seeds; upon return from space, CBGSC Girl Scouts were able to participate in experiments with the “space seeds” at the EXCEL Interactive Science Museum in Salisbury, MD. • Being the Best I Can summer program held by CBGSC at over 67 locations throughout Council allowed more than 1,200 girls to experience what it meant to be a Girl Scout; through songs, games and crafts, the program emphasized self-discovery, friendship and well-being.

1999 •

Girl Scout Day held in partnership with Fort Delaware and Juanita Leisca (nationally recognized expert in women and children in the Civil War) to inform Girl Scouts about the important role women played in the Civil War and to encourage girls to participate in restoration projects in their communities; over 300 girls participated.

• First Annual Area Chair Conference, A Time of Sharing, in Ocean City, MD over the February 26th weekend; conference included roundtables tackling issues of concern, a presentation on building community and study circles on racism and race relations; Family Partnership pilot program unveiled; 60 staff and volunteers attended.

2000 •• • • • •

First Women of Distinction Celebration was held on March 7 in the Gold Ballroom of Hotel DuPont; 250 people attended.

Over a million boxes of cookies were sold.

50th Anniversary of Grove Point Resident Camp; Anniversary patch and t-shirt created to commemorate the anniversary.

CBGSC awarded the Governor’s Award for Health and Fitness for outstanding programming for girls by Delaware Governor Tom Carper [Bay Window, Summer 2000].

Cabins, a double unit shelter/troop house, bathrooms and wash stand built at Camp Sandy Pines with assistance of Day of Caring project sponsored by the United Way of Lower Eastern Shore.

Volunteer Resource Centers offering Girl Scout equipment for loan & other resources opened in both the Newark Headquarters and the Peninsula Resource Center in Salisbury, MD.

2002 ••

Master planning process for all four outdoor camp properties was initiated.

Capital Campaign to fund renovations at all four camps was initiated in the Fall.

• Celebration of the 40th anniversary of the merger of Peninsula GSC and Wilmington Area GSCB, and the 90th birthday of Girl Scouts of the USA. Over 2,000 Girl Scouts travelled on buses to Washington D.C. to participate in the national celebration, Still Singing After All These Years.

2003 ••

Launched From Girl Scouts with L.O.V.E. program, a CBGSC service project to raise awareness about youth violence.

Women in Aviation program in partnership with The 99s (an international group of women pilots) to introduce Girl Scouts to the world of aviation.

• First Camp Exec which provided opportunities for older girls to learn skills for success and share ideas with female executives as they set their sights on their dream career, while also having fun at camp was held.

• CBGSC sent over 8.900 boxes of cookies to troops overseas with the help of donors and the USO.

2004 •

GSCB partnered with the University of Delaware’s College of Engineering to sponsor the Design and Discovery Leadership Institute for girls 12 to 17 on campus; girls worked with 12 undergraduate and graduate engineering students to work on hands-on engineering activities designed for young inventors which led the girls to develop independent and ingenious inventions of their own; 50 girls from across the US participated.

2005 •

Design charettes held for girls, volunteers, Board, community members and staff at all four Camp Program Centers to begin visioning improvements for the camps. Master plan developed by Re: Vision with input from charettes proposed construction of a Science/Technology Center with showers and toilets, compost toilets on the ridge at Camp Country Center; construction of an Equestrian Center and one unit shelter at Camp Grove Point; Construction of Program Center and waterfront improvements at Camp Todd; and construction of a tree house unit at Camp Sandy Pines. Multi-year Capital Campaign initiated to fund improvements; improvements would be made based on amount of funds raised.

• 2003 Capital Campign funds provided for improvements at Camp Grove Point including 3 new toilet houses with wash stands at Sassapeake, Trail’s End, and Cimmaron; a new unit shelter and hot water showers at Ahsosowah and volunteers from ING constructed new picnic tables and tent platforms throughout camp.

2007 •

CBGSC held several “Dine Arounds”, evening events sponsored by successful female mentors and their companies to allow older Girl Scouts to learn about career paths related to the company’s business while dining with females from the company.

• A rope ferry to a small island in Lake Williston and docks on both shores were constructed at Camp Todd.

• Ribbon cutting held at Camp Sandy Pines on Oct 25 for new camping unit comprised of 4 tree houses (one ADA accessible), and a double unit shelter and shower house named the Sue Morris Tree House; renovations to Connie Bell Lodge (new front entrance, roof, interior and exterior painting, doors, windows, ventilation, ceiling fants, bathrooms, showers, flooring and walls, remodeled kitchen and screen porch), flag poles, benches, rocking chairs and bricks.

2008 •

Name of Council officially changed to Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay (GSCB).

2009 •

Science and Technology Lodge completed in spring at Camp Country Center.

2010 ••

Ribbon cutting for Science and Technology Lodge at Camp Country Center on Feb 1 Leadership Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum Certification recognizing use of green building technology was awarded to the Science and Technology Lodge and it was renamed the Lynn Williams Science and Technology Lodge.

• Conservation easement to protect critical Puritan tiger beetle habitat from development proposed, negotiated and executed as result of discussions with U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy.

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2011

• New Peninsula Resource Center (1346 Belmont Ave.) acquired in Salisbury, MD; building constructed to GSCB specifications and at no cost to GSCB as a result of a purchase agreement for the prior PRC site by Royal Farms and additional donations

by Royal Farms, G2 Properties and others; groundbreaking held on July 14; GSCB took possession of building on Dec 13.

2012 ••

Cookies sold for $4.00 per box.

50th Anniversary of GSCB was celebrated by hosting a Girl Scout exhibit at the Delaware History Museum in Wilmington from Feb 2012 - June 2013.

• Alumnae Tea Event held at Camp Country Center, bringing together former Girl Scouts active in GSCB. • Grand opening of Peninsula Resource Center held on Feb 29.

• Camp Todd dining hall/program center winterized, upgraded to be more energy-efficient and low-maintenence and enlarged; building renamed Todd Memorial Hall; dedicated in June.

2013 •

7.27 acres on Old Baltimore Pike purchased for $600,000 on Aug 30 for construction of new Northern Resource Center; Bancroft Engineering selected as design-build contractor; ASHA Architects and Landmark engineers completed team; value engineering approach used to contain costs; design to include separate wings for administrative functions and volunteer use, retail space, storage and a central lighthouse which provides a “beacon for all girls”.

2014 •

Sale of 170.92 acres from Camp Grove Point for $1,175,000 in July to create an endowment for the camp; funds must be for use designated by Board.

• On May 6 Gov. Jack Markell signed H.B. 199 designating the Channeled Whelk (Busycotypus canaliculatus) the official shell of the State of Delaware as the result of efforts by Allyson Willis, a GSCB Girl Scout working on her Bronze Award. Although Allyson initially proposed the Common Jingle Shell (Anomia simplex) as the state shell, she agreed with the recommendation of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) that the Channeled Whelk would be a better choice because of its economic importance to the state.

Allyson initially sent a petition to Representative John Carney in 2013, and later, to state legislators on Carney’s recommendation. The State Shell was subsequently included in as Section 324 in Section 1, Chapter 3, Title 29 of the Delaware Code.

2015 •

Groundbreaking for new Northern Resource Center at current location on Old Baltimore Poke on Jan 7; termed The Beacon, girls and volunteers were invited for hard hat tours of the site as construction progressed.

2016 •

Dining Hall at Grove Point closed because of condition; investment made in Program Center to accomodate food preparation for summer camp.

• Dedication and ribbon cutting for the new Northen Resource Center held Jan 15; GSUSA CEO Anna Marie Chavez attended along with Senator Chris Coons and other dignitaries; time capsule was inserted into building behind the date stone with the intent that it be opened in 2040; items in time capsule included items/information representative of GSCB, Council programs and activities, our history, the construction of the building and its dedication, uniform pieces and insignia, photos, etc. Bancroft Construction received excellence awards for the building from Delaware Contractors Association and ABC of Delaware.

• GSCB served 8,500 girl and 3,900 adult members from 14 counties in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.

2020 •

A new council newsletter The Peninsula Voice was launched in November.

• GSCB Archive Committee lent many items to the Smyrna Museum fro a Girl Scout/Boy Scout display.

• 16 girls earned their Gold Award, 30 girls earned their Silver Award, and 57 girls earned their Bronze Awards despite the advent of COVID-19 restrictions.

• G.I.R.L. Power Summit for Cadettes, Seniors and Ambassadors to be held at Delaware State University cancelled due to COVID-19.

• Annual Meeting cancelled due to COVID-19. Meeting was subsequently held virtually in September 2021.

• GSCB Summer Camps cancelled due to COVID-19; properties were available for small group/family rental.

• Program on the Move launched with programs on Robotics and Snap Circuits.

• Virtual Programming kicked off in March; programs/activities included GS Birthday Dance Party, GSCB Speaking in Sign badge, virtual baking, Counselor-in-Training and Program Aide training, troop meetings among others; over 500 girls from 33 states, Washington D.C., USA Girl Scouts Overseas and Puerto Rico particpated.

• Bay Shop closed permanently.

2021 •

GSCB Resident and Day camp held; capacities were limited to 15 girls per session due to COVID-19 restrictions; Summer Round Up held.

• In-person Annual Meeting held in Sept 2021 • GSCB introduces new adult recognitions to honor volunteers for their continued service to the girls and council; Rising Star, Unforgettable Cookie and Honey Roasted Rock Star are presented by the Service Unit; the Evergreen Pin and GSCB Pin will be awarded for the first time at the April 2022 Annual Meeting.

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2022 •

Archives Committee developes Patch Program for all grade levels in commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of GSCB. • Peninsula Day of Service held at all four camp properties March 19 to prepare the camps for the upcoming season; units were inventoried, cleaning and maintenance was accomplished and service projects to enhance our camps were accomplished; approx. 157 Girl Scouts and their families participated.

• Color Exploration and Virtual Reality programs added to Program on the Move.

Chronological information presented herein is derived from a variety of sources included in the Council Archives and maintained by the Archives Committee, as well as the personal recollections of long-time volunteers with GSCB. If you believe corrections or additions are warranted to make this chronology more accurate/informative, please provide them to MARCOMM@cbgsc.org.

Information on the following pages on the four camp properties is taken from GSCB’s History of Council Properties [Lynn Williams, Property Manager, 11/15/16] unless indicated otherwise.

GSCB Executive Directors/CEO’s 1962-Present

GSCB Presidents/Board Chairs 1962-Present

Miss Virginia Middlebrook

1963-1964

Mrs. Jerome C. Wienberg

1962-1965

Dorothy Hand

1964-1976

Mr. Raymond Grills

1965-1972

Mildred L Hyman

1976-1980

Mildred Meixsell (Mrs. Raymond K. Jr.) 1966-1972

Annabelle Tuthill

1980-1983

Mrs. Edward Spear

1972-1975

Annabelle Kressman (name change)

1983-1985

Leah Rodel

1975-1978

Helen Wilsom (Interim)

1985 (3 mos.)

Carolyn Hickman

1978-1984

Jorene Jamison

1985-1992

Lynn Williams

1984-1987

Carol Measom

1992-1993

Mary Granthman-Sleet

1987-1990

Suzann Cash (Acting Exec Director)

1993-1994

Ann Thomas

1990-1994

Shirley Valentine (Interim)

Unkown

Deborah Grubbe

1994-1997

Fern Schupeck

1994-1998

Gail Graham

1997-1998

Suzanne Cash (Acting CEO)

1995

Mary George Parsons

1999-2002

Judy Taggart

1999-2008

Gloria Zook Diodato

2002-2008

Anne Hogan

2008-2018

Gloria Jeffers

2008-2010

Claudia Peña Porretti

2018 - Present

Lynne S. Shand

2011-2015

Katya Neiburg-Wheeler

2017-Present 8

CBGSC/GSCB Offices Over the Years

North

South

1962 - 1990 1503 West 13th St. Wilmington, DE (Building renovated in 1962)

1960 - 1965 North Division St. Salisbury, MD Odd Fellows Building

1988 - 1999 2500 West 4th St. Wilmington, DE Leader Resource Center opened.

1965 - 1968 638 S. Salisbury Blvd. Salisbury, MD

1990 - 2016 501 S. College Ave. Newark, DE On the campus of University of Delaware 1997-2016 100 West 10th St. Wilmington, DE Additional office opened in Community Service Building 2016 - Present 225 Old Balitmore Pike Newark, DE

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1968 - 1970 109 S. Bradford St. Salisbury, MD 1970 - 1996 1233 N. Salisbury Blvd. Salisbury, MD 1996 - 2011 911 Snow Hill Rd. Salisbury, MD 2011 - Present 1346 Belmont Ave. Suite 601 Salisbury, MD

Camp Country Center • William Thomas Grant (of W.T. Grant 5 & 10 cent stores) and his wife Beth gave 132 acres in Hockessin, Delaware to the Wilimington Area Girl Scout Council on September 22, 1941.

The property contained a house, garage and tenant quarters, a swimming pool, woods and a stream.

1051 Sharpless Rd. Hockessin, DE 19707 Parcel no. 0800400177 Property: 40.49 acres

• In October of 1948, the Board of Directors approved selling part of Country Center, including the house and tenant quarters, to help defray the cost of purchasing Camp Grove Point. In November, Country Center was established as the Mrs. Lou Henry Hoover Memorial Conservation project.

• In March of 1949, Robert Hackett purchased 68 acres on the north side of Sharpless Road from the Wilmington Council.

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Camp Grove Point • Camp Grove Point was purchased by the Wilmington Area Girl Scout Council from Mr. John Berger of Philadelphia on December 10, 1948. The camp was dedicated as Double Goos Farm. Between 1949 and 1950, a capital campaign was launched to raise $80,000 for construction at the camp. The campaign raised $85,000 resulting in the construction of the following facilities between 1950 and 1953: Cottage, Trading Post, Dining Hall, Cook’s living quarters (Cookie Jar), the Boat House, Infirmary (Punch Bowl), Cliff and tent units Osprey, Woodland and Trail’s End. • In 1953, the name of the camp was changed from Double Goos Farm to Camp Grove Point and the new buildings were dedicated.

• Between 1954 and 1956, the administrative quarters (Chatterbox) and Sky High, Sharen, Sassapeake and Ahsosowah (C.I.T.) tent units were completed.

• Platform tents were added between 1957 and 1960 to Osprey, Cliff and Woodland to increase unit capacity.

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2930 Grove Neck Rd. Earleville, MD 21912 Parcel nos.: 027689, 027662, 027670, 027441, 027468, 027476 Property: 237.33 acres, 170.92 acres of which is encumbered by a conservation easement

Camp Todd • Lake Williston was created as a mill pond in the 1850’s to operate a flour and grist mill. The fire-charred remains of the mill and miller’s still stand on the other side of the dam, across Harmony Rd. (Rt. 16). The mill and pond were purchased by Willard Todd in 1893. His son, Ulysses Grant Todd inherited the mill, mill house and Lake Williston in 1930.

• Todd and his wife acquired a total of 100 acres on the south side of the lake in three parcels in 1935, 1938, and 1940 which they named Camp Todd.

215 Beauchamp Branch Rd. Denton, MD 21629 Map 0037 Grid 0015 Parcel 0012 Property: 111 acres, lake: 65 acres

• On May 24, 1954, the Peninsula Girl Scout Council was given an exclusive lease on 100 acres. In 1956, the original 100 acres were closed to allow for revegetation because of erosion. On September 10, 1958, the 100-acre camp and 65-acre Lake Williston were deeded as gift to the Council by Todd’s wife, Jennie Todd Penrose, and her new husband. The deed restricts the use of the property to Girl Scouts or similar charitable youth organizations and includes the responsibility for maintaining the water level of the lake.

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Camp Sandy Pines • The Wicomico Girl Scout Council was given this troop camping site in 1958 by Louis and Lounette Chatham. The cinderblock lodge onsite contains a plaque thanking “J. W. Chatham, W.O. Thomas and other Friends of Scouting” for the construction of this lodge. There is no documented date of construction, but it was probably built in the 1960’s.

• Laurel Thicket, a tent unit, with latrine and unit shelter is about the same age. A primitive camping area was located next to Laurel Thicket.

• A History of Girl Scouting in Wicomico County [author unknown] indicates that a camp site at Shad Point, named Nassawango, was purchased in 1962. This location is also identified as being renamed Camp Sandy Pines. GSCB’s Empowering Girls for Nine Decades states: “Camp Nassawango (now called Sandy Pines) is donated to Peninsula Council for $10 by Louis Chatham.”

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27157 Riverside Dr. Extension Fruitland, MD 21826 Map 0047 Grid 0013 Parcel 0249 Property: 48.42 acres

Thank You GSCB Archives Committee!

Betty Jean Boyd Gretchen Broadwater Annmarie Conroe Lyn Gill Gail Graham Caron Jackson Eileen Pelham Joan Przywara Lauralee Rappleye Betsy Wenny Pam Yarborough A special Thank You to Gail Graham for her generous contribution toward printing this booklet and her continued support of GSCB.

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Our Mission Building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place.

Girl Scout Promise On my honor, I will try, to serve God, and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law.

Cecil New Castle

Kent

Queen Anne’s

Kent

Caroline Talbot

Sussex

Newark Resource Center 225 Old Baltimore Pike Newark, DE 19702 T 800-341-4007 F 302-456-7188

Dorchester Wicomico

Worcester

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Ac co ma ck

Somerset

No rth am

Girl Scout Law I will do my best to be, honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, responsible for what I say and do, and to, respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.

Peninsula Resource Center 1346 Belmont Ave., Ste 601 Salisbury, MD 21804 T 800-341-4007 F 302-456-7188